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Proven to be more addictive than cocaine, a closer look at Sugar may help to explain America’s rise in obesity, diabetes and the new focus on food addiction.

A 2007 study (Lenoir, Serre, Cantin, Ahmed), found that intense sweetness surpasses cocaine reward even in addicted and drug-sensitized subjects leading to increased aggression upon withdrawal and a disruption of the dopamine/acetylcholine reward balance in the brain.

Recently, People Magazine came out with an article about Ashley Hamilton talking openly about his struggles with an eating disorder. I applaud Ashley for coming out about having an eating disorder. The shame, guilt and misunderstanding of eating disorders makes it hard for anyone to come forward and get help, but it is so much harder for such a public figure to do so. He is very courageous!

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes anorexia. The disorder is rather complex, and may stem from a number of causes that range from physical to emotional, psychological, and societal. One key factor in the onset of anorexia appears to be genetics. It is very common for someone with an eating disorder to exhibit a family history of similar disorders. There are personality traits that can also make a person more prone to be anorexic. People with depression, anxiety, or similar mood disorders are more likely to develop eating disorders.

Anorexia is a disorder that affects millions of people of all ages, genders, and sociological backgrounds. There are many misconceptions about anorexia, which can often be harmful or confusing to a person needing treatment or their families. One common misconception is that people may pretend to feel fat in order to get positive attention from people. This is simply not true. People with anorexia legitimately lack the ability to accurately see their bodies. They are not seeing their reflections the same way other people see them.

Seeking treatment for anorexia is the first and most important step towards recovering. There are several types of treatments for anorexia, and which type of treatment you should seek depends on you and your personal situation. A residential treatment program incorporates several different types of therapies, which all combine to form a total treatment plan. The staff at a residential treatment facility may include psychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and other specialists.